KENYAN NEWS: HENRY ROTICH AND WILL BETT IN MAIZE SCANDAL

“The two CSs must take responsibility for the Gazette Notices for the importation. And the CS agriculture should develop regulations and guidelines on importation of maize and other food crops, and table them before the Senate within 45 days, “ the Senate ad hoc committee says in its report tabled in the Senate on Tuesday by Bungoma’s Moses Wetang’ula.

The committee observed that records at the Kenya Revenue Authority show that maize imported by various importers was sold to the ministry of agriculture through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) at a profit.

According Kenya news to the committee’s findings, there is no evidence that there were standards and quality checks by the Kenya Bureau of Standards at the ports of entry during the duty-free maize importation period.

The committee recommends that the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations should spearhead the process to trace and recover any unlawfully acquired wealth from individuals behind the scandal.

Data availed by KRA showed 1,800MT of maize being imported through Malaba One Stop Border Point during the period yet during a visit to the area by the committee, it was discovered that 12,400MT was received and a further 43,100 in Busia.